Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in Arizona.

In the park service’s words

Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff, tells a story of ingenuity, survival and ultimately, prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• View Montezuma Castle (30 to 45 Minutes): Visitors can view two cliff dwellings while visiting the park, Montezuma Castle and Castle A. An accessible, 0.3 mile trail loops around the site and features many views of both the dwellings and the creekside ecosystem they rise above. Interpretive signs offer insight into the lives of the people that built and thrive
• Become a Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot BARK Ranger (30 to 120 Minutes): Do you think your dog has what it takes to become an official Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot Bark Ranger? Stop by the visitor center to get certified. Certification allows you to purchase an exclusive BARK Ranger badge from the bookstore.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $10 per person. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, 9:00AM - 4:45PM. Montezuma Castle is open daily. Please note that the park gate is one mile from the visitor center and closes at 4:45pm. Parking on the road or in front of the gate is not allowed at any time.

Getting there

Montezuma Castle: Follow I-17 to exit 289 (90 minutes north of Phoenix, 45 minutes south of Flagstaff). Drive east (through two traffic circles) for approximately 1/2 mile to the blinking red light. Turn left onto Montezuma Castle Road. Montezuma Well: Follow I-17 to exit 293 (north of the exit for Montezuma Castle). Continue through the towns of McGuireville and Rimrock, following the signs for 4 miles to the entrance to the Well.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Montezuma Castle Visitor Center: Daily, 9:00AM - 4:45PM. The Montezuma Castle Visitor Center is open daily from 9 am to 4:45 pm. The park may close early on December 24, 31, and the day before Thanksgiving. Please note that the park gate is one mile from the visitor center and locks at 5 pm.

Weather

Summer: Hot. Temperatures range from 95°F (35°C) to 115°F (46°C). Nighttime temperatures can be much cooler, around 70°F (21°C). From July through September, heavy rains called monsoons are common in the afternoons. Winter: Cool. Highs average around 55°F (13°C); lows may be in the teens (-10°C). Snow is rare, but possible. For detailed information, visit the National Weather Service: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.61151944900047&lon=-111.8389592099997#.Vi_FZX6rSUk

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Grand Canyon, about 101 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Montezuma Castle National Monument (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.